Back when this song was made, I was a nurse at a hospital in St, Paul. I was taking care of a patient who was dying of cancer, and this was her favorite song. I'll always think of her when I hear it. It's sad.
I don't know why songs like this don't get written today. It's not for lack of talent or vocal purity. I think it's because of ridicule. If you bear your soul to the public today, they rip you a new one. Maybe gangster rap and butt metal are all there is these days. That and dumb girly pop and fop rock. What do they have in common? Extreme pretentiousness.
Magnificent arrangement. Wikipedia has the backstory on the play-A Little Night Music- and the circus reference certainly fits. If you are young, this song explains what it is like to get old.
As a student at Tanglewood in 1976, I played this on the jukebox while we were all waiting in line in our cafeteria. This many years later, it still seems so unbelievable poignant. The strings up high, a fifth above, like subtle light shining in the sadness, placed on “My dear” and later above the English horn. I hear it as a warning to hang on to what’s so important. (It’s not Just Judy Collins. It’s also the orchestrator and all the rest of the musicians who get it.)
An odd request here .... I think this is such a beautiful song ..... I just need someone to explain to me ..... the clown reference ... I really want to understand that ... I would appreciate the explanation. Thanks.
It's a metaphor. As far as I know, there's kind of a tradition in a circus - to send in the clowns immediately when some tragic accident occurs (supposedly to distract and cheer up the audience) . And the song is about a tragedy as well, so I guess, that might be the allusion here... And the lines "where are the clowns? - don't bother they're here" might mean that she feels both herself and her soul-mate are the victims and the fools at the same time - "Don't you love farce?.."
Gosh, this takes me back. I love this song but try not to listen to it too much as it reminds me of my beautiful Grandad and it makes me cry. I've still got the 7" single he bought me.
One of the greatest songs ever recorded, in my opinion. I love several versions of this by different people, but Judy's is the best...the perfect tone for the song. Judy has been in so much of my life. Thank you Judy and thank you very much for posting this
when i was 16 i was diagnosed with depression thanks to this song im back to my old self im now 20 stil do get depressed but its nowhere as bad as it was :).
@rassledassle82 Stephen Sondheim wrote this song for the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music." Sondheim wrote it for Glynis Johns who sang the lead role of Desieree. I would think that she was the first.
@rassledassle If you youtube search"Send in the Clowns" by Glynis Johns; look for the one with the blue poster for the musical uploaded by Broadwaymusicals101 -- it has an awesome photo montage from the musical. I so like this version better.
I will always treasure the time I saw her in live performance...What a stunning star....God gifted her with a silken voice...This is the best rendition ever imo Thank you for posting
Always reminds me of our amazingly hot summer of 1976!!!! (UK) As there was no clouds for months and temps regularly in the 90's, I used to re-word it as 'send in the clouds' when it was played occasionally on the radio, although it was released in May '75....I was only 14 though ;--)
@Timetraveller2208 Hi, when I heard this song for the first time I thought it was saying clouds and although I can't make out all the words or know what it's about for me the song conveys the peacefulness and majesty of clouds!.
Recorded 1973 this version. Wow that was a year for music, Slade, The Sweet, Wizard & all the other classic stuff. Oh, of course the CLASSIC No1 in the charts Eye Lvl. 70s an AWESOME decade for music like the 80s & other classic decades but I feel the 70s had the most & best chart stuff to offer. Cheers!
Love it, awesome song. 1 of my other favourites is Both Sides Now Love that to. I've sang & played keyboard for a good few years & Both Sides Now is 1 I do my own rendition of but music is purely a hobby. I'd love to learn to play this so I'll have to listen very closely to the chord layout, not easy at times but I get there. Cheers
i heard this when i was young,and since then i realized how true it was.marriage is like this,but there is always balance in the end of things.it is a sad song to me,but bittersweet as well.things seen in the eyes are not black and white when one is older,and this song reminds me of that every time i hear it.
The nice thing about this version is that it is clear that Judy Collins is thinking about what she is singing. It's a beautiful, but extremely sad song, and the sadness is painfully evident in Judy's voice.
I was 10 I think,I woke up one morning like at 2:00 A.M or 4:00 A.M,the TV was still on a music channel, and this song was on..it's stuck with me since then.
Barbra Streisand to me is my all time favorite singer, she's a legend. And I love her version of the song....
But even she cannot do justice to the woman who not only wrote this but sings it... and I think, as a singer/songwriter myself, that the reason is because she did write it. In her long notes, her very not-in-your-face style she converys the drama and the utter beauty. Who understands it better than she? -- just exquisite. Thank you Judy Collins.
Barbra Streisand to me is my all time favorite singer, she's a legend. And I love her version of the song....
But even she cannot do justice to the woman who not only wrote this but sings it... and I think, as a singer/songwriter myself, that the reason is because she did write it. In her long notes, her very not-in-your-face style she converys the drama and the utter beauty. Who understands it better than she? -- just exquisite. Thank you Judy Collins.
Dave here. Never cared much for Judy Collins' singing. It sounded weak and "thready" to me, but here her voice just fits the mood. So much so that as I sat having a hamburger and a cuba libre at a favorite "pub," this song came on, so did the tears if you can picture that without laughing. I had broken up with the first lady I'd been with for a while. Was really down. "The Clowns" put me away.
I've heard many arrangments of this song by a variety of singers, but to me, this is the definitive version. Judy's voice just adds a color & texture that's indescribable. The orchestration itself is just magical. The only 2 that come close are the ones by, Barbra Streisand & of course, Frank Sinatra. But, this one is the best!
This has and always been one of my favorites since I was very small. This inspired an entire collection of Emmet Kelly Jr. clowns among many other clown dolls that play this in a music box. Even my kids are still looking to add to this collection, because of this song.
my mother told me that this was my great grandmas favorite song when my dance studio did a dance to it during my recital it was so amazing and i know that my gma was a great person i wish i would have met =(
I heard this song the first time about 40 years ago - I was a little girl aged about 7 or 8. A puppeteer had a puppet - a Pierrot - "dance" to the song. It was SO emotional, SO beautiful, I still remember and still see the puppet in front of me - I could swear I saw it cry ! The song still gives me the chills !
This is one of those greats, which did better as the cover than as the original.
It's from "A Little Night Music" a wonderful Sondheim musical, but the original is no where near the quality of Judy's recording. This is truly a hit in every sense of the word.
I have a musical figurine that plays this. He's beautiful, and I used to listen to him every night when I wen't to sleep. It's nice to hear the real version of this.
When I went through the ups and downs of my mid to late teens, this song would wring the sadness out of me and leave me serene and peaceful...if only for a fleeting moment...
@nowhereman841 gee, i havent been in my teens in YEARS, but i still have the ups and downs. wtf is wrong with ME? haha. gotta go- the clowns are already here.
This is such a beautiful song...I remember hearing it only once when I was little, and it has been with me since. The words mean so much.....they carry truth.
This is one of the scariest songs of all time!
RickstoneStefy 3 days ago
Want to know if you have Hear and Soul, just listen to this and not be unmoved....Thanks Judy
relayer682399 6 days ago
"Absolutely Beautiful Song Of All Time." :)
wlt777 1 week ago
Sondheim at his beautiful enigmatic best and Collins..
My thoughts are with you my friend xxx
Bruchag 2 weeks ago
Back when this song was made, I was a nurse at a hospital in St, Paul. I was taking care of a patient who was dying of cancer, and this was her favorite song. I'll always think of her when I hear it. It's sad.
petsr4ever 4 weeks ago 3
this song makes me think of my grandma... it was her favorite song...
rip grandma <3 love you soo much.. always thinking of you <3
xRainbowCareBearx 1 month ago 3
I don't know why songs like this don't get written today. It's not for lack of talent or vocal purity. I think it's because of ridicule. If you bear your soul to the public today, they rip you a new one. Maybe gangster rap and butt metal are all there is these days. That and dumb girly pop and fop rock. What do they have in common? Extreme pretentiousness.
mikedonn71 1 month ago 4
This song is from 1975 off the album Judith
darnrabbits1 1 month ago
slow down, breathe, listen
beautiful, maybe it's you
champdailey24 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
i love this song very much.....when i die.....pls play this song.....thank u
redwulf261 1 month ago
this is me and my husband now.i wish it wasnt,but i suppose in a marriage we all hit this point at one time or another.
swanderer01 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
@swanderer01 as long as your hearts continue to beat, there is always hope.
mcteeosupreme 1 month ago
this is much more serene than i exepected
TheDarkmind33 1 month ago
Magnificent arrangement. Wikipedia has the backstory on the play-A Little Night Music- and the circus reference certainly fits. If you are young, this song explains what it is like to get old.
Also perfect for most jobs. Send in the clowns.
DerfBlindle 2 months ago
Wish I could write like this.
speechmaker1 2 months ago
I bet you could if you try. Never stop reaching. Merry Christmas.
tubatag 1 month ago
THIS SONG SOARS ABOVE THEM ALL,FOR SURE!
TheJimmyjames8 2 months ago
heaven on earth we all want to find.
TheJimmyjames8 2 months ago
So beautiful yet so sad. Kinda makes you wanna sit in a dark closet with a gun and a bullet lol. But in a good way
suspectcard 2 months ago
this is not my favroute vershion of this song, though it is compleetly breath taking.
thenextrachelberry 2 months ago
As a student at Tanglewood in 1976, I played this on the jukebox while we were all waiting in line in our cafeteria. This many years later, it still seems so unbelievable poignant. The strings up high, a fifth above, like subtle light shining in the sadness, placed on “My dear” and later above the English horn. I hear it as a warning to hang on to what’s so important. (It’s not Just Judy Collins. It’s also the orchestrator and all the rest of the musicians who get it.)
garyfieldman 2 months ago
An odd request here .... I think this is such a beautiful song ..... I just need someone to explain to me ..... the clown reference ... I really want to understand that ... I would appreciate the explanation. Thanks.
midnite22155 3 months ago
@midnite22155 Clown means "fool" if that helps
mchlodonnell 3 months ago
@midnite22155
It's a metaphor. As far as I know, there's kind of a tradition in a circus - to send in the clowns immediately when some tragic accident occurs (supposedly to distract and cheer up the audience) . And the song is about a tragedy as well, so I guess, that might be the allusion here... And the lines "where are the clowns? - don't bother they're here" might mean that she feels both herself and her soul-mate are the victims and the fools at the same time - "Don't you love farce?.."
LigamentiaGlass 3 months ago
Beautiful song and Judy your timeless. Brilliant.
audioman628 3 months ago
Love this song, such a classic, would like to call this a song for #TeaDebate, but it's too nice.
sandinbrick 3 months ago
Such an "Absolutely Beautiful, Soothing & Wonderous" arrangement of music. :)
wlt777 3 months ago
pure class
markhodgson600 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
wow if this doesnt descibe love missunderstanding
archie977 3 months ago
Comment removed
archie977 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
the beauty of this song perfectly incapsulated in this video..
/watch?v=YiKPpt58AeI
SmithTubess 3 months ago
This song is "Absolutely Heavenly." :)
wlt777 4 months ago 2
Gosh, this takes me back. I love this song but try not to listen to it too much as it reminds me of my beautiful Grandad and it makes me cry. I've still got the 7" single he bought me.
ronnieboydsmith 4 months ago
One of the greatest songs ever recorded, in my opinion. I love several versions of this by different people, but Judy's is the best...the perfect tone for the song. Judy has been in so much of my life. Thank you Judy and thank you very much for posting this
Ricco99100 4 months ago
Always loved Judy Collins, and always loved this song sung by her. Incredible voice. What a talent!
chefjeffyos 5 months ago
I remember my Mother loved this song. We had a big falling out recently, listening to this song made me just cry.
ladywhispers111 5 months ago
Judy Collins performed it first... I do believe
ladywhispers111 5 months ago
the absolutely LOVE this song, it makes me wish i was a skater and could skate to this song,
jennieforthesox 5 months ago 2
when i was 16 i was diagnosed with depression thanks to this song im back to my old self im now 20 stil do get depressed but its nowhere as bad as it was :).
alexander5860 5 months ago
Does anyone know who performed this song first?
rassledassle82 5 months ago
@rassledassle82 Stephen Sondheim wrote this song for the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music." Sondheim wrote it for Glynis Johns who sang the lead role of Desieree. I would think that she was the first.
3124481731 5 months ago
@rassledassle If you youtube search"Send in the Clowns" by Glynis Johns; look for the one with the blue poster for the musical uploaded by Broadwaymusicals101 -- it has an awesome photo montage from the musical. I so like this version better.
3124481731 5 months ago
@3124481731 Thanks for the info :-)! I will definitely look up the original - I am interested in seeing how it's evolved from it's first performer.
rassledassle82 5 months ago
Just a beautiful song, sung by a beautiful person, thank you for posting this.
cedeshazer 5 months ago 2
Once I did a ballet duet to this song...truly the most emotional piece I've ever performed <3
tootalented13 5 months ago
that "in" she sings when she sings, "you in mid air" just chills me. it is so beautiful.
christentze 5 months ago
ahh, the waves of beauty wash over me.
jonmaxwell74 5 months ago in playlist Music
More of a Sinatra fan here but I think this is a lovely, sweeter version. Manna to the ears.
YasuKikyo 5 months ago
ps had a sly blub during both sides now always gets me
cardiffmadmarshy 6 months ago
judy seen you at glasto 2010 you were the bollocks love you x
cardiffmadmarshy 6 months ago
I will always treasure the time I saw her in live performance...What a stunning star....God gifted her with a silken voice...This is the best rendition ever imo Thank you for posting
PlayForMeASymphony 6 months ago
Dear God...REALLY????
That there is even ONE dislike of this song and performance is...unconscionable!!
jontau1 6 months ago
"Send in the clowns...don't bother, they're here". Life always has the last laugh on us - WE'RE the clowns!
fdepoalo 6 months ago
For me the arrangement compliments Judy and that makes it a classic. No Doubt
kq082682 6 months ago
another great hit for our times.. john check out tedd new song on teddbear52 now NOW!!
teddbear52 6 months ago
A beautiful song and voice !
tundraization 6 months ago
Reminds of my Beautiful wife. She passed away a couple of years ago. One of her favorites. It fit us to a T.............40 years...
cteam181 6 months ago
LOVE& marriage neither are FOREVER HIV is forever
Rocccc1 6 months ago
Santa Clara Vanguard
LIBurnett94 6 months ago
i love u Judy you so fantastic voices no one can be you cause u are the best ....and you always on my memories.
boonsrirotepitima 7 months ago
funny.marriage is like that sometimes,but so is love.i think she hit it dead on.
swanderer01 7 months ago
There should be clowns. Isn't it queer.
ezramead 7 months ago
My Mom past away 1 year ago April 18th. This was her favorite singer and song.. Mom was my inspiration in life.. I miss you..
01azgirl 7 months ago
Always reminds me of our amazingly hot summer of 1976!!!! (UK) As there was no clouds for months and temps regularly in the 90's, I used to re-word it as 'send in the clouds' when it was played occasionally on the radio, although it was released in May '75....I was only 14 though ;--)
Timetraveller2208 7 months ago
@Timetraveller2208 Hi, when I heard this song for the first time I thought it was saying clouds and although I can't make out all the words or know what it's about for me the song conveys the peacefulness and majesty of clouds!.
Njugglesvatn 6 months ago
This is a brilliant version but to me Krusty The clowns will always be my favorite
darkrai288 8 months ago 13
Love this song :)
iHeartWR 8 months ago 8
Recorded 1973 this version. Wow that was a year for music, Slade, The Sweet, Wizard & all the other classic stuff. Oh, of course the CLASSIC No1 in the charts Eye Lvl. 70s an AWESOME decade for music like the 80s & other classic decades but I feel the 70s had the most & best chart stuff to offer. Cheers!
bestrickie2 8 months ago
Love it, awesome song. 1 of my other favourites is Both Sides Now Love that to. I've sang & played keyboard for a good few years & Both Sides Now is 1 I do my own rendition of but music is purely a hobby. I'd love to learn to play this so I'll have to listen very closely to the chord layout, not easy at times but I get there. Cheers
bestrickie2 8 months ago
Judy hit #36 in Billboard, 8-2-75. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx!
DaveWollenberg 9 months ago
For me, this enchanting song is about love found, love lost and missing you long as I have a thinking and a metabolizing.
herpur7 9 months ago
i heard this when i was young,and since then i realized how true it was.marriage is like this,but there is always balance in the end of things.it is a sad song to me,but bittersweet as well.things seen in the eyes are not black and white when one is older,and this song reminds me of that every time i hear it.
swanderer01 9 months ago
I think I shed a tear...
vasdeferensify 9 months ago
It is a gorgeous song with meaning to so many.
Least of all me.
kend16 9 months ago
i thought they were all in Washington....
irish89055 10 months ago
Another favourite of mine....it keeps repeating itself....it might never end...thanks Judy...and Stephen of course...
biddybuzz 10 months ago
The nice thing about this version is that it is clear that Judy Collins is thinking about what she is singing. It's a beautiful, but extremely sad song, and the sadness is painfully evident in Judy's voice.
1kkyu 10 months ago
I'm going to light a candle and watch the rain...here I am- alone again..."quick, send in the clowns"...I hear you Judy..
daisycutter65 10 months ago
I'm going to light a candle and watch the rain...here I am- alone again..."quick, send in the clowns"...I hear you Judy..
daisycutter65 10 months ago
I was 10 I think,I woke up one morning like at 2:00 A.M or 4:00 A.M,the TV was still on a music channel, and this song was on..it's stuck with me since then.
DawnRainWasHere 10 months ago
I swear this is the best version
PrincessSybilla77 10 months ago
Peggy Batemann. This was your favorite. Catch me on facebook. Bob Simms
cowboybobify 10 months ago
I prefer frank sinatras version but this is not bad.
danthegeezer86 10 months ago
Simplesmente maravilhosa...
paulo87ish 10 months ago
classic and timeless, its what makes a good song into a great one
ski6111 10 months ago
classic and timeless, its what makes a good song into a great one
ski6111 10 months ago
Nice Orange Tip butterfly!
paulboy200 10 months ago
Stephen Sondheim wrote this song, which won the Grammy in 1975 for Song of the Year.
rdfrankssr 10 months ago
Gives me shivers - wonderful
bazzerukable 10 months ago
I just found my funeral song...
fluffyka1986 10 months ago
Beautiful........and Sad.
wolfmantip 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Barbra Streisand to me is my all time favorite singer, she's a legend. And I love her version of the song....
But even she cannot do justice to the woman who not only wrote this but sings it... and I think, as a singer/songwriter myself, that the reason is because she did write it. In her long notes, her very not-in-your-face style she converys the drama and the utter beauty. Who understands it better than she? -- just exquisite. Thank you Judy Collins.
Metamorphis62 11 months ago
Barbra Streisand to me is my all time favorite singer, she's a legend. And I love her version of the song....
But even she cannot do justice to the woman who not only wrote this but sings it... and I think, as a singer/songwriter myself, that the reason is because she did write it. In her long notes, her very not-in-your-face style she converys the drama and the utter beauty. Who understands it better than she? -- just exquisite. Thank you Judy Collins.
Metamorphis62 11 months ago
Excellent! Of the many ( many! ) renditions I've listened to, this is THE one!
CWPHOTOS2 11 months ago
this is my favorite love it. send in the clowns
nothinghumanlovesfor 11 months ago 2
Dave here. Never cared much for Judy Collins' singing. It sounded weak and "thready" to me, but here her voice just fits the mood. So much so that as I sat having a hamburger and a cuba libre at a favorite "pub," this song came on, so did the tears if you can picture that without laughing. I had broken up with the first lady I'd been with for a while. Was really down. "The Clowns" put me away.
Myrtle791 11 months ago
Sendai Japan -- the clowns brought a tsunami.
etbella3 11 months ago
this was my mothers song and she sang it so beautifly when i hear this it reminds me of the good times RIP mum I wanted to be there .
xLoux93 11 months ago
to flirt with rescue, when one has no intention, of being saved..
is there no place in this world for knights in shining armour.
kickinfish 11 months ago
@kickinfish my princess left me last week...all that is left is this song.
holkn 9 months ago
so beautiful and so hers alone for all time.
wendyhallable 11 months ago 3
Coulrophobia
RichmondSeeker 11 months ago
i love this song so much !
jbtoocute4u 1 year ago
i love you krusty
Timic83amv 1 year ago
I've heard many arrangments of this song by a variety of singers, but to me, this is the definitive version. Judy's voice just adds a color & texture that's indescribable. The orchestration itself is just magical. The only 2 that come close are the ones by, Barbra Streisand & of course, Frank Sinatra. But, this one is the best!
lazy50 1 year ago 42
@lazy50 You should listen to the Judy Dench version of this song. Truly breathtaking.
ecelticsoul 7 months ago
This has and always been one of my favorites since I was very small. This inspired an entire collection of Emmet Kelly Jr. clowns among many other clown dolls that play this in a music box. Even my kids are still looking to add to this collection, because of this song.
jrzirish 1 year ago
my mother told me that this was my great grandmas favorite song when my dance studio did a dance to it during my recital it was so amazing and i know that my gma was a great person i wish i would have met =(
macygirly 1 year ago
One of the best songs sung by Judy Collins down through the years, which I have enjoyed listening to over and over again. Thanks for posting it.
blade2nj 1 year ago
WONDERFUL, BRILLIANT, AWESOME song/tune, nicely sang a CLASSIC number to say the LEAST.
bestrickie2 1 year ago
Absolutely friggin' gorgeous...
babbsby 1 year ago
I heard this song the first time about 40 years ago - I was a little girl aged about 7 or 8. A puppeteer had a puppet - a Pierrot - "dance" to the song. It was SO emotional, SO beautiful, I still remember and still see the puppet in front of me - I could swear I saw it cry ! The song still gives me the chills !
lokesh62 1 year ago
This is one of those greats, which did better as the cover than as the original.
It's from "A Little Night Music" a wonderful Sondheim musical, but the original is no where near the quality of Judy's recording. This is truly a hit in every sense of the word.
scubawrestler 1 year ago
Beautiful song
linnieverberne2 1 year ago
Great song and SO many people cover it...But this is MY FAVORITE...Although Frank S.and Barry M. isnt so bad...
mattdaddyful 1 year ago
I have a musical figurine that plays this. He's beautiful, and I used to listen to him every night when I wen't to sleep. It's nice to hear the real version of this.
yukiko4ev 1 year ago
Sondheim can write em! This is my fave version.
OnCloudNine62 1 year ago
so lovely of a song makes me smile :)
barbj7121 1 year ago
When I went through the ups and downs of my mid to late teens, this song would wring the sadness out of me and leave me serene and peaceful...if only for a fleeting moment...
nowhereman841 1 year ago 26
@nowhereman841 - A good description of what this song does for those ups and downs now.
AquarielCharm 1 year ago
@nowhereman841 gee, i havent been in my teens in YEARS, but i still have the ups and downs. wtf is wrong with ME? haha. gotta go- the clowns are already here.
jas22 9 months ago
This is such a beautiful song...I remember hearing it only once when I was little, and it has been with me since. The words mean so much.....they carry truth.
kay1469 1 year ago 2
nice...!!
shatinterry 1 year ago